Egypt is “Misr” in Arabic. It occupies the northeastern corner of
Africa, and is connected to Asia by the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt is
bordered by Libya on the west, Sudan on the south, Israel on the
east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Egypt has a surface
area of 386,662 square miles, approximately the same size as Texas.

The population of Egypt is about 75 million. Cairo, Egypt's
capital city, has a population of more than 17 million. This great
metropolis is the meeting place of Africa, the Arab world, Europe
and Asia. Cairo is the most important city in the country and is the
political, cultural, and economic center. The oldest part of Cairo
lies in the vicinity of the Khan El Khalili Bazaar and Al Azhar
Mosque. The modern part of Cairo was built by a descendant of
Mohamed Ali, in the 19th century. Today a sprawling city, with its
ever expanding suburbs, surrounds this historic core. The most
famous mosque, the Mohamed Ali Mosque, was built in Cairo in his
memory. Cairo is known as the city of a thousand minarets due to the
profusion of mosques.

In approximately 3000 B.C., a civilization emerged on the banks
of the River Nile. It reached a stage of development and
sophistication that none of its contemporaries surpassed. The
ancient Egyptians' ability to organize society, keep careful
records, and maintain the continuity and advancement of their
civilization almost without interruption for 30 centuries set them
apart from all other civilizations.

A land of motion within the stillness of centuries, the silent
felucca sails in contrast to the chaos and cacophony along the Nile.
Among today's monuments are the world's largest textile mill, one of
the highest dams, and the largest manmade lake. Yet, all the noises
of construction, cries of street vendors, even the braying of
donkeys, in ever-expanding Cairo are absorbed by the eternal quiet
of the deserts.

Egypt is a country with many secrets tied to its past. It is an
explorer's land, with places to find treasures such as antiquities,
gold or jewels. It is a place to see palaces and bazaars, where the
real and the reproduced can be considered. It is a land where
flowers bloom in the desert and in the underwater gardens. For those
who can “drink the water of the Nile,” the rewards are magnificent.

The Host Country

Area, Geography, and Climate Last Updated: 5/11/2004 7:45 AM

The Arab Republic of Egypt is located in northeast Africa and,
with the Sinai Peninsula, extends into southwest Asia. It consists
of 1,002,000 square kilometers of land. There are three land
borders: Israel, Libya, and the Sudan, as well as four water
barriers: the Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Suez, Gulf of Aqaba, and
the Red Sea. Most of the country is part of the band of desert
stretching from the Atlantic Coast of Africa to the Middle East.

Geological changes have produced four distinct physical regions:
the Nile River's Valley and Delta, where 95% of the population
lives: the Western Desert, with two-thirds of the country's total
land area in barren limestone plateaus and depressions; the Eastern
Desert, scored by gullies in rugged hills; and the Sinai Peninsula,
geographically a barren part of the Asian Continent, separating
slowly from Africa.

Only the Nile Valley, Delta, and a few desert oases can support
productive agriculture. The date palm is the most prevalent
indigenous tree, though frequently eucalyptus, acacia, sycamore,
juniper, jacaranda, and tamarind are seen. Papyrus, once prevalent
throughout Egypt, exists now only in botanical gardens.

According to reports written in the first century A.D., seven
branches of the Nile ran through the Delta to the Mediterranean.
Since then, nature and man have closed all but two outlets—the
Damietta and the Rosetta. A network of canals, salt marshes, and
lakes now supplement these channels.

Lower Egypt is the area north of the 30th parallel of latitude,
which passes through Cairo and Suez. Upper Egypt is everything
south. The highest point in the country, Jebel Katrinah (Mount St.
Catherine), is 8,600 feet above sea level—a part of the red-colored
Sinai terrain that gave the Red Sea its name. Nearby is Jebel Musa
(Mount Sinai), the legendary site where Moses received the Ten
Commandments.

The lowest point, the Qattarah Depression in the Western Desert,
drops at places to 132 meters below sea level and covers an area the
size of New Jersey. Alexandria receives the majority of Egypt's
limited rainfall, with 19cm (about 7 ½”) being the yearly average.
Two cm (about ¾”) is the usual annual total in Cairo.

From November to April, temperatures range in Cairo from 40° to
65°F, and during the hot period, May to October, from 70° to 110°F.
The Mediterranean coast is usually 10° cooler, while Upper Egypt is
10° to 20° warmer. Extreme temperatures during both seasons are
moderated by the prevailing northerly winds. The exception is the
hot, dry southerly Khamaseen, named for the number 50 because it
occurs in a 50-day timeframe from April to June. With winds up to 90
miles an hour, the resulting sandstorms close down airports and
roads.

Population Last Updated: 4/21/2004 7:50 AM

Population Egypt's population was 74.7 million in the year 2003.
The growth rate is estimated at 1.8% annually. The population
density in its habitable areas is greater than 3,250 per square
mile, making the Nile Valley one of the world's densest populated
areas.

Although more than half of the population lives in rural areas,
this proportion is decreasing as jobs lure people to the urban
centers. Cairo is the largest city in Africa and the Arab World. The
disparity between national resources and this ever-growing
population is an obstacle facing the Egyptian Government's drive to
raise living standards.

A heterogeneous population, blended from Hamitic-Armenoid and
Arab stock, has developed. Today, the majority are considered a
single people, sharing a common ancestry and culture. Arabic is
their common language. Colloquial Cairene is expressive and rich in
words of Coptic, European, and Turkish origins. The written language
differs from the spoken. Modern standard Arabic, based on the
language of the Koran, is heard on radio and TV and in formal
speeches.

About 90% of Egyptians are Moslem, and Islam is the state
religion. The remaining 10% are Christian, either Coptic, Greek
Orthodox, Roman Catholic, or Anglican Protestants. Indigenous
minorities include 4-6 million Copts, Nubians, Bedouin, and a tiny
Jewish community. Coptic has remained the liturgical language of the
Coptic Church. Berber is also spoken, as are the Bedouin and
Sudanese-Hamitic dialects of Arabic, primarily in Upper Egypt.

Public Institutions Last Updated: 4/26/2004 7:49 AM

In 1952, a group of Egyptian “Free Officers” overthrew the
monarchy and exiled King Farouk, who had inherited the throne in
1935 from his father, King Fouad. A republic was established under a
Revolutionary Command Council.

The revolution established the first purely Egyptian leadership
since Pharaonic times. From the time of Alexander the Great, Egypt
had been continuously under various foreign rulers. The “Free
Officers” divested their military connections and sought to raise
the standard of living, while developing both military and economic
strength.

In 1958, Egypt merged with Syria and formed the “United Arab
Republic.” In 1961, Syria separated from this union, but Egypt kept
the name until 1971, when it was formally designated the Arab
Republic of Egypt.

The Egyptian Constitution provides for a strong executive.
Authority is vested in a President elected by the People's Assembly
and confirmed by a popular referendum. The President appoints the
Prime Minister and Cabinet and may appoint a Vice President.
President Hosni Mubarak was reelected and confirmed for a fourth
6-year term in 1999. The legislature is bicameral. The more active
house, the People's Assembly, has 448 elected members and 10
Presidential Appointees. The 210 members of the National
Consultative or "Shura" Council are known as the “Upper House.”
Seventy are appointed, and 140 are elected. The Council's functions
are advisory rather than legislative. The governing National
Democratic Party was established by President Anwar Sadat in 1978.
There are five legal opposition parties, three of which are
represented in the Assembly and the Consultative Council.

Egypt's judicial system is based on a combination of French and
Islamic legal concepts and methods. The Supreme Court, with
presidentially appointed judges, is the highest. Under President
Mubarak, the judiciary has strongly maintained its independence from
executive intervention. The principles of due process and judicial
review are generally observed. Politically, the government aims to
preserve stability by gradually expanding and liberalizing
democratic processes, while attempting to improve the standard of
living and quality of life.

Following the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty in
1979, most Arab states broke relations with Egypt. The Amman Arab
Summit Conference in November 1987 paved the way for other Arab
states to restore relations with Egypt. In spring 1989, Egypt was
readmitted into the League of Arab States. Headquartered in Cairo,
its 22 member nations, which have a population of 230 million
people, cover 14 million square kilometers, and control 67.2% of the
world's oil and 24.2% of its gas.

President Mubarak has maintained the peace treaty's commitments
to Israel and has worked to broaden the overall Arab-Israeli peace
process in the Middle East. Many international and nongovernmental
organizations maintain headquarters or field offices in Cairo,
including CARE, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, Project Hope, Catholic
Relief Services, American Field Service International, American
Friends of the Middle East, the Ford Foundation, and the Fulbright
Commission.

Arts, Science, and Education Last Updated: 4/26/2004 7:52 AM

Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, only the pyramids
remain. Previous scholars speculated as to their purpose. One theory
suggested a correlation between seven of them and the constellation
Orion, with the Nile cast as the Milky Way. Egyptologists now agree
that they had only one purpose, to be tombs containing all that the
deceased would need for the afterlife.

There are actually 97 pyramids in Egypt, but the ones at Giza are
the most famous. As pyramids were large and could be seen for miles,
thieves were able to locate them easily. For this reason, in the
later dynasties, tombs were hidden in places such as the Valley of
the Kings at Luxor. Most of these burial sites were also desecrated,
except for the Pharaoh Tutankhamun's (King Tut's). His escaped the
fate of others because another king built his crypt directly on top
of the former's. When thieves found the upper burial site, assuming
they had found everything, they left the crypt below intact. No
great works are attributed to King Tutankhamun during his brief
reign. He was Pharaoh for only nine years, from 1361-1352 B.C.
Today, he is the best-known Pharaoh only because of the wealth of
items found at his gravesite. However, the wealth of Egypt's past is
not limited to that 9-year period.

Temples such as Karnak, Luxor, Philae, and Abu Simbel span 5,000
years of history, beginning with the Pharaonic period (3,000–341
B.C.), the Greek period (332–30 B.C.) and the Roman and Byzantine
period (30 B.C.–A.D. 638), which saw the rise of the Coptic Church.
Then the Arab conquest introduced Islam and the Omayyads from
Damascus, who remained until A.D. 750, when the Abbasids from
Baghdad brought both violent change and their slaves, the Turkish
Mamelukes, who would become the rulers and remain until Napoleon
invaded in July 1798. Each period brought new monuments and changes
to the old. Preserved by the dry climate, Egypt’s ruins are
world-renowned.

In September 1801, British and Ottoman forces drove the French
out, only to come up against Mohammad Ali, an Albanian soldier
serving in the Turkish Army. After he led his regiment in a
rebellion over their lack of pay, subsequent conquests in Greece,
Syria, Sudan, and on the Arabian Peninsula granted his temporary
control of much of the Ottoman Empire and a dynasty which controlled
Egypt until 1952. His grandson sponsored the building of Egypt's
railways and the Suez Canal. Next came the Pasha Ismail, who would
open the Canal in 1869 and declare independence in 1873. However, he
would soon lose it all in 1879, as a victim of foreign debts and
international events. The British took control in 1879. Egypt's
first nationalist movement created the semblance of independence in
1922 under a constitutional monarchy with an elected Royal, King
Fouad I. The “Free Officers” overthrew Fouad's descendant, Farouk
(and the British) in 1952.

The cultural capital of the Arab world, Cairo has over two dozen
museums. The Egyptian, Coptic, and Islamic Arts Museums each present
an array of masterpieces. More esoteric collections include the
geologic, railway, post office, agricultural, military, and carriage
museums. The Ministry of Culture and many private organizations
sponsor fine arts exhibits. In addition to four art museums, the
Ministry administers several historic buildings, in which artists
and artisans have studios. The Cairo Opera house is a part of a $30
million cultural complex which includes the Museum of Modern Arts.
It was opened in 1988 on Gezira Island, 17 years after a fire had
destroyed its predecessor in the downtown Opera Square. Egyptian
ballet, choir, dance, opera, and symphony performances appear in the
three theaters and alternate with offerings by touring companies.

The Academy of the Arabic Languages and l’Institute d’Egypte, the
latter established by the French administration in 1798, are both
located in Cairo, as are newer research institutes and specialized
libraries spanning all fields.

Egypt has 13 state-run universities, with five in the Cairo area.
The oldest university in the world, Al-Azhar, was founded in 970 in
a mosque built near the then-new eastern wall. It is still the
center of Moslem theology. Ein Shams University was founded in 1950
in the Zafaran Palace in the Abbasiyya area. It took over a space
vacated by the Egyptian University, which became Cairo University
after it was reconstituted with 11 faculties in the Giza area.

The American University in Cairo (AUC) is a private university
accredited in the United States. AUC is located near the Embassy, on
the East Side of Tahrir Square, although the campus will relocate to
the suburb of Katameya in 2006. Cairo American College, a private,
coeducational day school in Maadi, serves students from kindergarten
through grade 12 and is covered in detail in the Education section.

Commerce and Industry Last Updated: 4/26/2004 7:54 AM

Since the early 1990s, the Government of Egypt has generally
pursued a policy of macroeconomic stabilization. The economy has
seen positive growth rates (averaging an estimated 2.5% in fiscal
years 2002 and 2003), an inflation rate of 4% over the same period,
and substantial foreign currency reserves (estimated at $14.8
billion - enough to cover more than ten months of imports).
Potentially, Egypt has a large consumer market, though per capita
income remains modest ($1,470 in FY 2001/02). Unemployment was
officially reported to be at 9.9% in FY2002/03. The role of private
investment in key infrastructure increased significantly throughout
the 1990s. Cellular phone concessions were sold to private firms
while new airports, ports, and port services were at least partially
opened to private investors. The private sector's role has steadily
expanded in key sectors such as textiles, steel, petrochemicals,
cement, light consumer goods, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals.

The outlook for some sectors of the economy, particularly tourism
and natural gas, is bright. Growing budget deficits, however,
represent a challenge to economic recovery. In 2002, the government
revised its budgetary accounts to present three increasingly broad
measures of the budget and deficits: a narrow budget that included
only line government agencies and programs; a broader definition
that included transfers to or from independent state-owned agencies,
and a third definition that also included the social insurance funds
(social security), currently in surplus because of Egypt's growing
working-age population. Earlier estimates of the budget deficit were
based on features of the first and second figures; the government
now appears to have adopted the favorable, broad definition as its
benchmark of the deficit. The government has also revised its
estimates of past budget deficits upwards several times in recent
years. Based on the government's current reported figures, the
budget deficit grew from 5.5% of GDP by the narrowest measure and
2.2% of GDP by the broadest measure in FY 2000/01 to 5.8% (narrow)
and 2.5% (broad) in FY 2001/02.

An array of economic legislation has been developed over the past
few years, including a Mortgage Law passed in 2001, Telecom
Regulatory Authority Law in February 2003, the Unified Labor Law and
Unified Banking Law in May 2003, and Money Laundering Law in 2002.
In August 2003, the government issued implementing regulations for
the comprehensive Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Law passed in
2002.

Tourism and the Suez Canal dominate Egypt’s services sector.
Tourism, Egypt’s largest foreign exchange earner, posted a modest
recovery from its low point in FY 2001/2002 – though it was still
short of levels prior to September 11, 2001. Suez Canal revenues,
which had been flat for several years, surged from $1.82 billion in
FY2001/02 to a record $2.25 billion in FY 2002/03. Egypt's leading
merchandise export is crude oil and petroleum products ($2.2 billion
in 2002), followed by finished goods (chiefly textiles and apparel),
and raw materials (cotton and other agricultural products). Steel
exports (particularly to the U.S. and EU) grew sharply in 2002 and
the first half of 2003, as Egyptian producers looked beyond the weak
domestic market (their competitiveness improved by the pound's
depreciation and U.S. and EU restrictions on steel imports from
other countries). Cement producers also began to find overseas
markets. On the other side of the ledger, leading imports include
capital goods, machinery, and agricultural commodities. Chief U.S.
exports to Egypt include agricultural commodities (usually around $1
billion annually), capital goods, and equipment. The value of U.S.
exports shrank over the last two years, from nearly $3.8 billion in
2001 to under $2.9 billion in 2002, largely in line with the drop in
overall Egyptian imports. Egypt’s exports to the U.S. were worth
$1,352 million in 2002, making the U.S. Egypt’s largest bilateral
trading partner.

Agriculture remains one of Egypt's most important sectors and
continues to achieve steady growth rates of 3-4% per year. Growing
middle-income countries generally exhibit a decline in agriculture's
share of GDP and employment; Egypt is no exception. The sector's
contribution to GDP has fallen gradually from 20% in FY 1986/87 to
16% in FY 2001/02, and the number of Egyptians employed in the
sector has fallen, from 34% of the total labor force in FY 1990/91
to 27% in Fy2001/02.

Construction on the Toshka project began in January 1997 in the
area bordering Lake Nasser, north of Abu Simbel. The project aims to
irrigate some 500,000 acres of arable arid soil with water from Lake
Nasser. The main canal has been completed since 2000. Construction
is proceeding on four branch canals of 28 km each, with the first
two nearly complete, the third about 50% complete and the fourth in
its beginning phase. This private sector project's aim is to grow
fresh fruits and vegetables for export to Europe in the winter
months. Several Egyptian government-sponsored entities are doing
field tests in the Toshka region as well.

Since 1975, USAID has been instrumental in infrastructure
development (water, wastewater, power, and telecommunications) and
has also launched projects for job creation, improvement of economic
policy infrastructure, education, democracy and governance, health
and nutrition, environment, and natural resource management. USAID
adopted a new strategy in 2000 that focuses on expanding the role of
Egypt’s private sector to help move Egypt from an assistance-based
relationship with the U.S. to a relationship based on trade and
investment. New areas of emphasis under this program include the
development of the information technology sector, strengthening
Egypt’s capacity for human resource development, trade policy
capacity building, financial sector reform, and continuing efforts
to enhance Egypt’s business and export competitiveness.

In addition, post is working to actively support the President's
Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). The effort, launched in
December 2002, is intended to increase economic and educational
opportunities throughout the Middle East. In particular, its
programs are intended to: promote the development of civil society;
improve the quality of education offered to the children of the
area; promote economic growth and job creation; and support programs
that improve the status of women in the Middle East.

Economic assistance levels averaged over $800 million annually
from the time of the Camp David accords (1978) until mid-1998. Food
aid averaged over $218 million/year starting in 1975, but ended in
1992 in light of Egypt's gains in agricultural self- sufficiency. As
part of an overall revision in U.S. assistance policy, aid levels
have, by mutual agreement with the Government of Egypt, been on a
downward glide path since 1999. The USAID budget for Egypt during
U.S. FY 2003 was $615 million, and the anticipated budget for FY
2004 is $575 million. Current planning is that economic assistance
levels for Egypt will continue to be reduced by $40 million per year
to a level of $407 million by 2009.

Transportation

Automobiles Last Updated: 4/21/2004 8:25 AM

Bringing your personally owned vehicle (POV) is desirable, and
many people hire drivers to deal with finding places and parking
when they get there. Driving in Cairo is challenging. Many use their
privately owned vehicles only on weekends.

Difficulties for U.S. drivers in Egypt include nonexistent signs
or signs written only in Arabic, confusing traffic patterns, and
unfamiliar rules of the road. Smaller cars are more maneuverable,
and air-conditioning is a must, not a luxury. Importation
regulations change occasionally; check with the Embassy for current
information.

We recommend you bring replacement parts such as sealed beam
headlights, sparkplugs, air and oil filters Even a replacement water
and fuel pump should be considered for U.S. specification vehicles.
Replacement tires may be purchased locally or ordered and shipped
via APO. All vehicles used or new must have a catalytic converter to
be imported into Egypt.

Eighty-octane gas, also known locally as “benzine”, is common,
but it may produce pinging and poor performance in some U.S.-spec
engines. Ninety-octane benzine is also available. A gallon costs
about $.60. Lead-free gas is available in all metropolitan areas in
Egypt.

All car owners must carry third-party liability insurance in
accordance with Egyptian law and Embassy policy. Premium reductions
are given if your previous insurance company furnishes written proof
of an accident-free driving record. The reduction percentage
increases in proportion to the length of time you were without
claims. Egyptian insurance company representatives keep limited
office hours at the embassy to offer assistance. Check with both
local and U.S. insurance companies to determine if they will provide
comprehensive insurance to cover the replacement value and GOE sales
tax and customs duties of your POV. In the event your POV is stolen
or is declared a total loss, the government of Egypt requires that
the owner pay sales tax and customs duties on the vehicle. An
example of the cost of locally procured auto insurance is
approximately $3,028/annually for a vehicle valued at $25,000. The
average annual cost from a U.S. insurer is $2,000 annually for a
vehicle valued at $25,000, if it provides the coverage.

There are restrictions on selling POVs at the end of your tour if
you ship a car that is older than the current model year when it is
imported into Egypt. In this case you can only sell to another
diplomat or you must ship your car out of Egypt when you leave. Used
vehicles are not always easy to sell in Egypt, so you must be
prepared to export any vehicle that you import.

Egyptian Drivers Licenses. A local drivers license can be
obtained if you have a valid U.S. license. The Cairo traffic office
allows Mission employees and their family members 18 years of age or
older to use an international drivers license and a valid U.S.
license for 3 months following arrival at post. If you have no
current license, a driver's test will be required. Visit the
Transportation, Shipping and Customs (TSC) Section upon arrival at
post for help in obtaining a local license.

Transportation

Local Transportation Last Updated: 4/26/2004 7:55 AM

For safety and security reasons, and because parking is scarce in
Cairo, the Embassy runs an extensive shuttle system for American
employees.

Effectively using Cairo’s black-and-white taxis requires some
basic Arabic phrases and practice. During rush hours, a taxi may be
shared, reducing an individual’s fare. Negotiating the fare is best
done before the trip, especially if the destination is to a tourist
area. Often, if you know the fair price for your taxi trip (you can
ask others in the Embassy before you go) you can just get in, tell
the driver where you want to go, and hand him your money after you
exit the vehicle. The official rate for taxis is very low. Variables
that determine actual fares are your familiarity with the city, the
driver’s demeanor, and the taxi’s physical attributes (i.e., age and
size). Although newer, larger taxis command higher fares, the cost
is very reasonable and is much less than in the U.S.

Persons under 18 years of age are not allowed to drive cars or
motorcycles. Accidents involving unlicensed motorcyclists have
caused problems in the past and have strained relations. Bicycles
may be used in the suburbs and may be shipped with household
effects. The most practical and safest bikes to bring are mountain
or hybrid bikes, and cycling groups engage in both mountain and road
biking on the outskirts of Cairo at low-traffic periods. Helmets are
a must.

Subway. The Cairo Metro is a light rail system, partly
underground. One line maintains service from al-Marg in the north
through the center of the city to Maadi and on to Helwan. Another
line crosses the Nile to Giza and Imbaba to connect Shubra al-Kheima
in the north with the Opera House, Cairo University and Salah Salim
in the east.

The Metro may be used between Maadi residences and the Embassy
offices near Tahrir Square, and, outside of rush hour, is perhaps
the most relaxing way to get north or south. The Metro has done
little to ease the increasing traffic congestion.

Buses. An extensive bus system does exist in Cairo and other
areas. However, due to excessive overcrowding and poor maintenance,
the Embassy does not recommend using buses.

Transportation

Regional Transportation Last Updated: 4/21/2004 9:08 AM

The Western Desert Highway, a high-speed toll road, and the
busier Delta Road connect Alexandria and Cairo. Buses take 3½ hours,
with a rest stop. A non-stop Turbini train takes just over 2 hours.
The Embassy travel agent can book the required seat reservations.
Currently, a roundtrip ticket for first class costs 72 LE or
approximately $12. The Turbini travels round trip between Alexandria
and Cairo three times a day. A second train called the Spanish runs
twice daily in summer and once a day in winter. Train service to
Upper Egypt is also available, however, travel restrictions
currently apply to this service.

Nile cruises that travel between Luxor and Aswan may be booked by
any travel agent. Egypt Air is the only domestic airline, and it
provides service to Abu Simbel, Alexandria, Aswan, Hurghada, Luxor,
the New Valley development at Kharga Oasis, and Sharm el Sheikh.
Dual pricing for residents and nonresidents is standard practice.

.

Communications

Telephones and Telecommunications Last Updated: 4/21/2004 9:11 AM

Telecom Egypt is in the midst of a major upgrade of equipment
throughout the city. However, many older exchanges still use rotary
dial (pulse) phones, and, should a touch-tone phone be used, it must
be the type that will convert the touch-tone to pulse. Most Embassy
home phones have restricted service that prohibits making
international calls. Official calls can be made through the
Embassy’s 24-hour switchboard. Employees assigned to Cairo need to
have an AT&T, MCI, or other credit or calling card. Long-distance
services can be accessed by dialing local numbers.

Wireless Service Two companies currently provide cell-phone
service in Egypt. They use the GSM standard. There is excellent
coverage in Cairo and the infrastructure is rapidly expanding
throughout the country. International and roaming service is
available, and the two companies offer a variety of tariff programs,
including prepaid cards.

Communications

Telephones and Telecommunications

Wireless Service Last Updated: 1/14/2004 8:54 AM Two companies
currently provide cell-phone service in Egypt. They use the GSM
standard. There is excellent coverage in Cairo and the
infrastructure is rapidly expanding throughout the country.
International and roaming service is available, and the two
companies offer a variety of tariff programs, including prepaid
cards.

Communications

Internet Last Updated: 4/21/2004 9:13 AM

Internet service is also available through a number of service
providers at costs comparable with those found in the U.S. High
speed ISDN and ADSL are widely available. Dial-up low-speed
connections are also available. For dial-up service the user is
charged for the telephone call but not by the Internet Service
Provider.

Communications

Mail and Pouch Last Updated: 4/26/2004 7:57 AM

The Department of State has designated Cairo as a Category “A”
post for mail purposes. A Category “A” post requires all personnel
assigned to the Embassy to use the APO for all incoming and outgoing
personal mail except for clearly marked prescriptions and
eyeglasses. The pouch address is:

Name 7700 Cairo Place Washington DC 20521-7700

The APO facility operates as part of the Air Force Postal Service
and its use is available to all direct-hire U.S. Government
employees and their dependents assigned to the Mission in Cairo.

Postal rates are the same as for the U.S. Postal system and
include first class, priority and standard options, as well as
certified, registered and insured services. All packages require
customs declarations and are subject to the following restrictions:
maximum weight is 70 lbs. and length and girth combined cannot
exceed 108 inches. The APO also processes mail being sent to
international addresses and other APOs. Mail is received daily from
two code share carriers, KLM/NW and Lufthansa/United and is
dispatched 5 days a week. The APO hours of operation are: Sunday
through Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm.

Mail for U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should
be addressed:

Full Name Unit 64902 APO AE 09839-4902

Mail for contractors:

Full Name Unit 64903 APO AE 09868-9998

Mail for the Defense Attaché‚ Office (DAO) should be addressed:

Full Name DAO Unit 64910 APO AE 09839-9998

Mail for the Marine Security Guard Detachment (MSG) should be
addressed:

Full name MSG DET Unit 64911 APO AE 09839-9998 Mail for the U.S.
Naval Medical Research Team should be addressed:

Full Name PSC 452 FPO AE 09835 -9998

First-class letters and packages sent via the APO average 5–10
days transit time between the U.S. and Cairo. Packages sent to and
from Egypt must have customs tags and may be insured. Packages may
be sent through APO by:

Space Available Mail (SAM) - flown between Cairo and New York, it
travels via surface for the U.S. portion of the journey. Fourth
class rates apply. Maximum weight is 70 lbs. but parcels may not
exceed 100 inches, length and girth combined.

Priority Mail - more expensive but gets priority handling over
other parcel mail. Maximum weight per piece is 70 lbs. and maximum
size is 130 inches in length and girth combined.

Airmail - letters sent through the APO bound for Europe and other
Middle East countries are dispatched to the International Exchange
Office in Frankfurt, Germany.

Communications

Radio and TV Last Updated: 4/21/2004 9:22 AM

The Voice of America and the BBC’s World Service programming are
carried periodically on a variety of radio frequencies.

Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) is available at
the Embassy and some government-owned residential compounds. There
are two to eight (depending on where you live) AFRTS channels, and
programming includes news, sports, and entertainment from the U.S.
One of these channels is radio-only. Most employees who want AFRTS
must contact the Armed Forces Network (AFN) offices to purchase a
decoder and have their decoder digitally enabled. The employee must
have a dish installed and aimed, which can be done by a number of
local technicians. Decoders can be sold to other eligible employees
who must then contact AFN to get the decoder re-registered in their
name.

In addition, the Embassy has contacts with local satellite
providers for Mission employees wanting more than the AFRTS
channels. There is a choice between Orbit or ShowTime Channels.
Orbit has a variety of channels including Star channels, ESPN, and
the Disney Channel. ShowTime channels include MTV, CNN, the
Discovery Channel, Disney, TVLAND, Style, and Nickelodeon among
others. Since channel selection and price change frequently, check
with the CLO office for the most updated list of choices.

Cairo has its own TV channels, which operate at varying times
during the day and evening. Although most programs are in Arabic,
newscasts are presented daily in English, French, and Hebrew. Some
American TV series and old movies are shown in English, with Arabic
subtitles.

Multisystem sets receiving both PAL (the local broadcast format)
and NTSC (the U.S. format) can be purchased locally and at the AECWA-run
Convenience Store, but can be more expensive than sets purchased in
the U.S. An NTSC set will not receive local. We recommend that you
bring a multisystem television to post.

It is recommended that you bring a supply of CDs, records, and
tapes. Note, however, that older model record players and tape decks
must be adapted to the 240 volt, 50-cycle operating standard. Most
new electronic equipment is compatible (with adapter plugs) to local
current. Consult owner’s the manual whenever possible.

The International Harold Tribune and other international
newspapers in many languages are available at local outlets. A local
news weekly, The Cairo Times, is also available at the E-Mart. The
Embassy’s weekly newsletter, The Niler, published on Thursdays, is
where the official community shares information.

The Commissary carries the Stars and Stripes, Marine Corps Times,
Navy Times, and Army Times. Newsweek, Time, People and an assortment
of special interest magazines are also available.

Cairo supports four major Arabic-language daily newspapers and
one in English, The Egyptian Gazette. Al Ahram Weekly, an
English-language offshoot of a major Arabic daily, appears every
Thursday.

Publications in English and other languages are sold at hotels
and from street kiosks. Egypt Today, a glossy full-color monthly
magazine published in English, has features on Cairo, Alexandria,
and Red Sea resort areas with restaurant reviews, event notices, and
listings that are useful.

The Cairo Times is a weekly magazine with lively coverage of
local politics, arts, and culture. The bookstores of the American
University in Cairo (AUC) carry English-language fiction and
nonfiction titles and put them on sale twice a year. For a small
annual fee, around $10, you can join their book club and purchase
books at a discount all year. Due to substantial import duties,
prices are higher even with the discount than in the U.S. To save
money, you may wish to subscribe to magazines and order from
bookstores by mail or on the Internet.

Many of the books published in the Arab World come from Egypt’s
major publishing houses. The AUC Press represents Naguib Mahfouz,
winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. Born in Cairo in
1911, he was cited for his “Arabic narrative art.”

Libraries. In the Embassy compound are the American Studies
Information Resource Center, the Foreign Commercial Service Library,
and the Community Liaison Office, which has a collection of
mail-order catalogs, post reports, and previously owned fiction and
nonfiction books, and a freestanding Internet terminal.

The Information Resource Center, open to the public, houses
fiction and non-fiction books and magazines, a large documentary
video collection, internet access, an internet training facility,
and audio cassettes for English language learning.

The American Research Center's (ARCE) library is near the
Embassy, at 2 Midan Qasr el-Dubaraji (also known as Simon Bolivar
Square). The library of the American University in Cairo has over
100,000 volumes and rare old manuscripts but none are for
circulation.

Maadi residents may use the libraries of the Cairo American
College and the Community Services Association (CSA); both are
located in Maadi.

Health and Medicine

Medical Facilities Last Updated: 4/21/2004 9:35 AM

The Embassy Health Unit is open five days a week, Sunday through
Thursday, and a satellite health unit in the residential area of
Maadi is open two days a week, Monday and Wednesday, to provide
medical treatment, medical clearance examinations, immunizations,
and laboratory testing to U.S. employees of the Mission and their
dependents. There is always a medical officer, who can be contacted
through the embassy operator, on duty evenings, weekends, and
holidays.

The U.S. hired medical staff include two DOS Regional Medical
Officers, a Regional Psychiatrist, a FS Health Practitioner, and a
Regional Medical Technologist. Locally hired nurses have American
training or a European equivalent.

Local physician consultants covering a broad range of specialties
have trained in the US or Europe. Concerns about local medical care
include a lack of enforcement of standards, lack of peer review,
inadequate nurse training, and the very high prevalence of hepatitis
C, which increases the transfusion risk. The Health Unit maintains a
list of local providers, hospitals, x-ray and laboratory services,
and other local medical facilities. Basic dental and orthodontic
services in Cairo are quite good.

The Health Unit staff advises that elective surgeries and
childbirth be done in the United States or Europe. Expectant mothers
should depart post six weeks prior to delivery. Within Egypt, there
is very limited technical expertise in neonatal care and a high risk
of infection in the neonatal care units. The Health Unit staff will
arrange for medical evacuation to London, the regional medevac
point, the United States, or, for military personnel, the Landstuhl
Regional Medical Center near Frankfurt, Germany. All personnel
coming to Egypt should be sure that they have medical evacuation
coverage through their agency or with a private insurance policy.

The Health Unit stocks some medications for treatment of acute
conditions and emergencies. Persons who are using medicines
long-term should bring their own supply and plan on sending refill
prescriptions (obtained from the Health Unit) to the U.S. Many
medications are available in local pharmacies, but these are
frequently sold under a different brand name. Tylenol, vitamins, and
a very limited number of other over-the-counter, nonprescription
medicines are sold in the commissary.

Health and Medicine

Community Health Last Updated: 4/21/2004 9:34 AM

Staying healthy means taking preventive measures and precautions.
Standards of hygiene and cleanliness are below those in the United
States. Human waste is still used for fertilizing the crops, later
sold in markets.

Traveler's diarrhea is a common problem. Avoid fruits that have
been already peeled, fruits without peels, and uncooked vegetables,
particularly salads, at restaurants. Local vegetables, which are
purchased should be soaked in dilute Clorox (1 T per gallon of
water) for twenty minutes, then rinsed in safe water, before being
eaten.

Water treatment plants in Cairo adequately purify the water, but
the antiquated water distribution system sometimes re-contaminates
it. Only bottled, boiled (more than 3 minutes), distilled, or highly
filtered (through a high-tech filter) water should be used for
drinking and making ice. The Mission will supply one PentaPure
double-canister filter per household to purify tap water. The
bottled waters sold throughout Egypt are safe to drink.

Do not consume unpasteurized milk and cheese products. (Products
sold in large, Western-style markets have been pasteurized.)
Unpasteurized products may be contaminated with tuberculosis,
brucellosis, and a variety of other bacteria that can cause serious
illness.

The high concentration of particulate matter in the sometimes
very smoggy air of Cairo may cause eye irritation, runny nose or
nasal stuffiness, or exacerbations of asthma. Contact lens wearers
should bring their glasses, as eye irritation could prevent use of
the contacts. Air purifiers in the house may decrease bronchial,
nasal, and eye irritation.

Traffic accidents are the number one danger to Americans in
Cairo. Drive defensively. Outside of Cairo and Alexandria, no
driving is permitted after dark, due to a variety of risks,
including large sand drifts being blown across the roads. Seat belts
should always be worn when driving.

Health and Medicine

Preventive Measures Last Updated: 4/21/2004 9:35 AM

Prior to coming to Egypt, personnel should be immunized against
typhoid, meningococcal meningitis, hepatitis A and B, and rabies, in
addition to the standard childhood vaccinations and a booster for
tetanus every ten years. Rabies vaccination is recommended because
of the extremely high prevalence of rabies among stray dogs and cats
in Cairo. Documentation of a yellow fever vaccination is necessary
if coming from a region endemic with yellow fever or if you plan to
travel to other countries in Africa. In Egypt, it is not necessary
to take malaria prophylactic medication. Brucellosis, typhoid,
sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever, schistosomiasis (bilhardzia)
(which still infects about 12% of the rural population), Chlymidia
trachomatis (the bacteria causing trachoma, which still afflicts
about 35% of the rural population), and hepatitis C (present in
about 20% of the population) are common diseases, but these illness
rarely affect Americans working at the US Mission in Cairo. The
incidence of HIV is thought to be low (less than 1% of the
population), but statistics are not available. The Health Unit
maintains a walking blood bank donor list to provide a safer
reservoir of blood products to Americans.

Employment for Spouses and Dependents Last Updated: 4/21/2004
9:38 AM

The Embassy has an active hiring program. Post has numerous
employment opportunities for family members within U.S. Agencies at
post. However, very few of these positions are highly compensated.
The FLO in Washington and the CLO in Cairo will provide guidance in
filling out the necessary forms for U.S. Government jobs. The CLO in
Cairo also serves as a resource regarding information about jobs in
the Mission and in the private sector. Although many openings are
secretarial or clerical, some semiprofessional and managerial jobs
exist. Sometimes, depending on your post arrival date, a spouse
wishing full-time employment may have to take a part-time job for a
while. Full-time positions usually become vacant in May, June, or
July. All vacancies are circulated as State Announcements, listed in
The Niler, and posted on a board outside the Human Resources Office.

Employment is also available for family members wishing
short-term or intermittent work. Although these are also often
secretarial, special projects become available occasionally. Family
members may also register with Human Resources Management for the
temporary/part-time roster and remain on it indefinitely.

The Strategic Networking Assistance Program (SNAP) pilot began in
Cairo in May 2002. The Local Employment Advisor (LEA) networks
within the community to establish necessary contacts in assisting
family members with their job search. The LEA also provides
assistance with job counseling, resume writing, and interview
techniques. Employment opportunities outside the Mission are not
extensive. Some may require work permits from the Ministry of
Interior. However, portable careers are almost always transferable,
and family members have been employed outside the Embassy as
teachers, nurses, writers, photographers, lawyers, researchers,
architects, travel agents, secretaries, and caterers, among other
positions.

Family members accepting outside employment must have the
Embassy’s prior approval, to avoid a tacit waiver of diplomatic
immunity. Only the Department of State can permit a waiver of
diplomatic immunity. Foreigners working in Egypt are usually subject
to Egyptian income tax and social security laws.

The Foreign Commercial Service has a list of U.S. firms in Egypt.

CLO is frequently contacted for outside jobs, including some
local and international firms and agencies. Some opportunities also
exist for freelance employment. With the recent change in
home-operated businesses, portable careers are also viable.

The Cairo American College recruits the majority of its teachers
from the U.S. Most of the rest come from the expatriate community,
but several family members are also employed there. All teachers
must hold valid teaching certificates. For current information,
write: Superintendent, Cairo American College, Unit 64900 Box 21,
APO AE 09839-4900.

Dependent children ages 16 and over are eligible for employment
in the CLO Summer-Hire Program, which starts in June and continues
through mid-August. It attempts to provide meaningful work for as
many qualifying high school and college students as possible.
Employment opportunities for dependents under age 16 are very
limited.

American Embassy - Cairo

Post City Last Updated: 5/25/2004 1:10 AM

Estimates of the daytime population of Cairo range 12–17 million.
The city’s urban area stretches from Shubra in the north to Helwan
in the south; from the Moqattam Hills in the east to Giza in the
west. This area encompasses all of the Cairo governorate, most of
the Giza governorate, and a small part of the Qalyubia megalopolis
governorate in the north.

In the vicinity of Cairo’s two newest suburbs, archeologists have
found some of the area’s oldest remains. West and south of Maadi,
Neolithic communities flourished about 4000 B.C. Heliopolis was once
an important religious and intellectual center. One of a pair of
22-meter high, pink granite obelisks, dating from the 12th Dynasty
reign of Senusert I, circa 1950 B.C., remains in Cairo. Another pair
of obelisks, dating from the reign of Tuthmosis III, of the 18th
Dynasty, circa 1450 B.C., was later exported. One now stands in
London, the other in Central Park in New York City.

The word “Cairo” means unconquered, and may be derived from the
ancient Egyptian word for City of the Sun. From its 7th century
origin, Cairo flourished as the “victorious city” under a series of
Moslem rulers. Just one of its masterpieces of Islamic architecture
would be the pride of a city, but Cairo has hundreds of outstanding
mosques, madrassas (schools), and palaces. Inside the medieval
walls, the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar flourishes.

The foreign contingent of the population lives and works in many
neighborhoods. Garden City, on the east bank of the Nile where the
Embassy is located, borders the modern downtown section, with shops,
squares, hotels, and markets. The island of Zamalek has both
Embassy- owned and -leased housing in its residential areas. This
island was once restricted to foreigners only, who lived and played
by the fields of the Gezira Club, but now is a community of Egyptian
and foreign residents.

On the west bank, Mohandessin, Agouza, Dokki, and the Giza areas
all have residents from the Mission. These downtown neighborhoods
offer the excitement of big city living, with museums, shops, and
restaurants nearby, as well as proximity to the Embassy.

South, from downtown about 8 miles, is the suburb of Maadi, home
of Cairo American College, the international school most Embassy
children attend. Its shaded streets and local shopping area contrast
with Cairo’s bustling atmosphere.

Security Last Updated: 6/20/2004 7:28 AM

Cairo is a high terrorist threat environment. However, the threat
of crime in Egyptian cities is low and violent crimes are rare. As
is the case in any large city, instances of purse snatching, pick
pocketing, and petty theft are not uncommon. Unescorted women are
vulnerable to sexual harassment and verbal abuse.

Egyptian law enforcement and security officials have increased
their counter-terrorism activities and security presence throughout
Egypt following the November 1997 extremist attack on foreign
tourists and Egyptians in Luxor. There have been no reports of
terrorist attacks in Egypt since. However, the Department of State
has issued warnings of terrorist threats in the region when the
situation merited such action. Demonstrations have occurred in Cairo
during 2004. They have mainly focused on expressing solidarity with
the Palestinian cause and against the U.S.-led military coalition in
Iraq. There has been substantial police presence at all
demonstrations.

The most serious threat to American travelers in Egypt is the
risk of automobile/transportation accidents. Driving in Egypt can be
hazardous. Automobiles and large trucks are often observed driving
at night without headlights, at high rates of speed, and on the
wrong side of the road. For this reason, the U.S. Embassy strongly
discourages (prohibits except in exigent circumstances) its
employees from driving at night outside of urban areas. The use of
common sense, extreme caution, and defensive driving are a person’s
best actions for avoiding trouble.

The police in Egypt are generally very concerned about the
welfare of foreigners, both tourists and businesspersons. In
practice, foreigners who are crime victims often receive more
support from the police than Egyptians. Tourism and Antiquities
Police are stationed at hotels and tourist sites throughout the
country. They are recognizable by the arm band they wear with the
words “Tourist and Antiquities Police” written in English.

Foreigners are prohibited from photographing official structures
such as military facilities and buildings established as part of
Egypt’s national security. It is always best to ask a police
official before taking a photograph if there is any question about
the facility.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 5/11/2004 8:52 AM

U.S. diplomatic relations with Egypt began in the 19th century,
but were severed in 1967 because of a Middle East war. Spain
protected U.S. interests until diplomatic relations were
reestablished on February 28, 1974. The Embassy in Egypt has since
grown to be the largest American Mission in the world. There are
almost 500 direct hires in Cairo.

The Embassy is headed by the Ambassador, assisted by the Deputy
Chief of Mission and includes Political, Economic, Consular,
Security, and Administrative Sections. The contingent of Marine
Security Guards is the largest in the Foreign Service.

Other agencies in Egypt include the Department of Justice Legal
Attaché, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Foreign Agriculture
Service, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Library of Congress,
Naval Medical Research Unit 3, the Office of the Defense Attaché,
the Office of Military Cooperation with its sub-agencies, and the
United States Agency for International Development. The Embassy
Public Affairs Section and the Foreign Commercial Service both have
Branch Offices in Alexandria.

The Chancery building, Cairo I, was completed in 1988. A second
tower, Cairo II, and the Ambassador’s residence were completed in
December 1995. Both towers and the EMR are in a triangular compound
in the Garden City district. The North Gate is at 8 Kamal el-Din
Salah Street; and the West Gate, at 5 Latin America Street.
Currently, the Embassy has limited parking. Most employees ride
shuttle buses provided by the Embassy or take taxis.

The new USAID Mission offices are approximately located in a
separate building (called the new office building or NOB) close to
the area of New Maadi. The workforce is about 388, including
Americans and FSNs. The address is USAID Egypt, Plot 1/a off El-Laselki
Street, New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt 11435. You can reach them using the
following local number of 522–7000. USAID has its own Personnel and
Administrative Offices and shares in oversight and supervision of
the Embassy’s motorpool. USAID plans to move into its New Office
Building also located in Maadi, by the end of calendar year 2000.

To reach an Embassy operator, 24 hours daily, call 795–7371 or
direct dial an office by dialing 797 + extension. From outside
Egypt, dial the international access code, then 202–795–7371.

In an emergency, call 795–4342. This number is not transferable
to any other extension. The workweek is Sunday through Thursday,
from 8 am to 4:30 pm, with 30 minutes for lunch.

Housing Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:03 AM

The Post Housing Handbook is in the arrival packet CLO sends to
incoming employees at their current posts and on the Intranet
web-site. This book is also available at NEA/EX, FLO, at the
Department of State, and the Overseas Briefing Center at National
Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC). This useful document
explains the housing and maintenance policies, lists what furniture
is supplied, and lists procedures for checking in and out of post.

Housing

Temporary Quarters Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:04 AM

The Embassy’s goal is to move all newcomers directly into their
permanent residential housing. Temporary quarters will be provided
in those few cases where permanent quarters are not ready.

Housing

Permanent Housing Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:05 AM

Permanent housing for employees and their families consists of a
pool of government-owned and -leased apartments in various parts of
the city. A few government-owned houses are in the housing pool for
a few senior officers entitled to dedicated housing. The Embassy
also owns and operates four apartment buildings. The three built by
FBO in the 1980s have backup generators and water supply tanks.

Generally, about 60% of the official community lives in Maadi,
including most families with school-aged children, to be near the
Cairo American College (CAC). Many singles and couples live in
various areas downtown, but some are assigned units in Maadi.

Housing Assignment. Upon assignment to Cairo, you will receive a
cable or email from either the Embassy Housing Office or the USAID
Human Resources Office outlining the relevant housing assignment
policy and requesting information regarding your needs and
preferences. A timely reply is essential.

All assignments are made by the Interagency Housing Board in
consultation with your agency, and the Housing Office. All USAID
employees, except for the Director, are housed in apartments. New
arrivals may contact the USAID/Management Directorate with questions
and problems, by e-mail or telephone.

Housing

Furnishings Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:04 AM

All employees are provided with furnished quarters including a
washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, vacuum
cleaner, transformers, and dual-use air-conditioner/heaters. Because
the climate is dry much of the year, a humidifier can be useful, but
it must be personally supplied. People with respiratory problems
should also consider bringing one or more room-size air purifiers to
cope with the dust and pollution. AID provides one and OMC provides
two air purifiers to each house. Living room furniture includes a
sofa and a love seat, chairs, lamps, tables, bookcase, and a carpet.
Dining room furniture includes a table and chairs, a buffet, china
cabinet, and a carpet.

Bedroom furniture includes one queen-sized bed or twin beds for
the master bedroom and twin beds for additional bedrooms. Other
furnishings include night tables, lamps, mirrors, bureaus and
chests. Desks are supplied for each student attending school in
Cairo. Ship orthopedic mattresses, if required, with HHE as they are
not provided.

Extensive Welcome Kits are provided by either the Embassy or the
USAID Management Office for new arrivals to use until their
airfreight arrives. Kits include bedding, kitchenware, cleaning
gear, and an iron and ironing board. It is loaned on a temporary
basis until your UAB arrives up to a maximum of three months.

Housing

Utilities and Equipment Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:07 AM

The local power supply is 240v, 50 cycles. Government-owned
apartments are also 240v but the kitchens also have one 110v outlet.
Kitchens in leased housing generally have only 240v power.

Although almost all 110v appliances may be operated with the
power transformers supplied by the Embassy, toasters generally need
more time and built-in clocks will run fast. A 240v microwave is
supplied by the Embassy. You can purchase 240v appliances through
mail-order catalogs or locally.

Meat products, such as beef, lamb, poultry, and seafood are found
in the local meat markets and small grocery shops. For religious
reasons, pork and products containing pork are sold only in
specialty shops.

Popular beverages are hot tea, sweetened and often served in a
glass, Turkish coffee, juices, and carbonated drinks. Local and
imported bottled water, both still and sparkling, are available, as
are locally produced wine and beer.

The commissary is located near Maadi in a secure compound.
Operated by the Defense Department’s Commissary Agency (DECA), it is
similar to a small U.S. supermarket in stock, equipment, and style.
Stocked weekly from Germany, the commissary carries a good variety
of brand-name staples, frozen foods, fresh fruits and vegetables,
meats, health and beauty items, cleaning supplies, and bakery and
dairy products. Though usually well supplied, occasionally there are
bare spots on the shelves, due to transportation delays or the
long-term requirements for ordering.

AECWA. The American Employees Cooperative and Welfare Association
(AECWA) is run by a Board of Directors that govern this private,
nonprofit, membership organization. The management office, located
in the Embassy, issues a personalized picture ID card and an alcohol
ration card for alcohol purchase to each authorized member.
Additionally, AECWA offers services through the following five major
AECWA centers.

E-Mart. AECWA operates the E-Mart located on the lower level of
Cairo I, providing film developing, dry-cleaning service, and movie
rentals. The E-Mart also sells snacks, magazines, some medicines and
toiletries, cleaning supplies, pet food, film, alcoholic and
non-alcoholic beverages, cards, and gifts. This small store is a
convenience for personnel not able to travel to Maadi for
last-minute items. They offer a variety of local handicrafts and
gold jewelry. Embassy shuttle tickets are also sold here.

Convenience Store. AECWA operates this Convenience Store located
next to the DECA Commissary in the ESSA Compound in the Maadi Digla
area south of Cairo. This Convenience Store is similar to a
mini-military exchange. Liquor, a good selection of beer and wine,
gifts, children's toys, greeting cards, film, some clothing,
houseware products, electronics, dog/cat food, beauty products, and
other items are routinely stocked. Unlike an exchange, however,
AECWA cannot use military flights to import items and this
difference is reflected in the price of the goods. Embassy
Cafeteria. AECWA operates the cafeteria on the 4th floor of Cairo I,
which is open workdays to everyone for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
The cafeteria provides catering services and carryout services for
employees.

Maadi House. The recently renovated Maadi House restaurant, bar,
and recreational center is another AECWA facility. The Maadi House
is generally used by Mission members residing in the Maadi area.
However, many downtown residents enjoy driving out to Maadi House
for breakfast or social events on the weekends. Employees living
downtown tend to find local restaurants, and use the recreational
facilities, multi purpose court and gym in the Embassy compound
during the week. The Maadi House offers family style dining, video
rentals, heated pool, two tennis courts, a bar, poolrooms and a
playground. AECWA offers a scuba diving certification course, water
aerobic classes, and swimming lessons for all ages. It is frequented
by employees with families at post.

Embassy Gym. AECWA also runs a fitness center on the Embassy
compound. This gym has a heated swimming pool, free weights, weight
machines, treadmills, a bike, a stepper, and a rowing machine. The
USAID facility has a gym as well that is managed by AECWA.

Clothing

Men Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:10 AM

Slacks and a shirt with tie are common dress during summer
months, though suits are worn for meetings at ministries and for
other official calls. A dark suit is commonly worn for dinner
parties or other evening functions. Black tie is not required for
Egyptian official functions, but may be worn at the November Marine
Corps Ball and is suggested for other social events.

Summer entertaining is frequently outdoors. Casual dress for
summer evenings is common, but Egyptians do not wear shorts in
public. Clothes can be made to order at very reasonable cost.
Tailors often stock their own fabrics but will also make clothes
from fabric you supply. Egypt has several fine shirt makers and
several chain stores similar to the Gap, that specialize in
U.S.-style casual sportswear of high quality and reasonable prices.
Mission personnel can, of course, order clothes by mail or Internet
for shipment via the APO.

Clothing

Women Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:05 AM

Since Egypt is a conservative Moslem country, modesty should be
observed in clothing. Sleeveless and low-cut blouses and dresses,
miniskirts, tank tops and shorts will be offensive to most Egyptians
and should not be worn in public. You will feel more comfortable in
below-the-knee skirts, slacks or pantsuits. Flat walking shoes are
essential for comfort and safety, since sidewalks are uneven and
marble floors are slippery.

Office clothing is the same as is worn in Washington or other
headquarters. Seasonal dresses or pantsuits are appropriate for
teas, luncheons, and other daytime functions. Cocktail dresses are
sometimes needed for evenings. The Marine Ball, as well as several
other functions, is formal, and you may wear either short or long
dresses. Egyptians may wear far more ornate clothes than Americans.

Since the transitional seasons are not clearly defined,
warm-weather clothing is suitable from April through October.
Cottons and drip-dries are most popular during summer months for
comfort. Wool sweaters and jackets are worn in winter. Warm dresses,
suits, long-sleeved blouses, and sweaters are all useful in Cairo.
(Residential quarters are not excessively warm in winter and air
conditioning is sometimes too cool in the summer.) In winter,
light-to-medium weight coats are useful.

Women with considerable representational responsibilities will
find several evening dresses necessary. An attractive wrap will be
useful on cool evenings.

Bring all special sports attire for golf, tennis, horseback
riding, and swimming. Riding boots and jodhpurs can be made to order
at reasonable prices. Locally made caftan-like “gallabayas” and
cotton shirts are comfortable and inexpensive. Most clothing needs
can be ordered through the catalogs available in the CLO’s office.

Sunhats and caps are very useful for beach and desert outings.
Gloves are not necessary for diplomatic functions. Although locally
made leather handbags are attractive in design and price, shoes,
whether readymade or made-to-order, are generally less satisfactory.
Most personnel, both men and women, find it more satisfactory to
bring work, dress, and sports shoes.

Several boutiques carry readymade clothing matching U.S. taste
and quality expectations. Dressmakers are available, but quality
varies. The many fine fabric stores in Cairo stock a good variety of
Egyptian cotton and silk. Those who sew should bring sewing machines
and adequate supplies of threads, zippers, bindings, and patterns.

Clothing

Children Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:13 AM

Cairo American College's dress code for grades 6 to 12 requires
students to wear what is appropriate both for a learning institution
and the local culture: modest and neat. Specifically prohibited are:
cut-offs, torn clothes, shorts shorter than 3” above the bend of the
knee, shirts and blouses not covering the shoulders, tanktops, and
midriffs. Wearing hats and caps in class requires the classroom
teacher's approval. Shoes or sandals should be worn at all times and
clothing worn in P.E. classes should not be worn in other classes.
Final judgment on acceptable appearance is reserved for the school’s
administration.

Bring all children’s clothing. Locally manufactured sandals are
available and inexpensive. Boys and girls in grades 6 to 12 at Cairo
American College may wear any cloth or Spandex knee-length shorts,
white T-shirts, socks, and gym shoes for the athletic program. P.E.
T-shirts may be purchased at the school store. Girls may wear slacks
or jeans to school. Elementary students are required to purchase
P.E. uniforms available in the school store. For the swimming
program, one-piece suits are needed by all grades (1 to 12).

Clothing

Office Attire Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:14 AM

Employees who do not have special dress requirements should use
common sense in determining what is appropriate for their particular
situation at work. Employees should follow basic requirements for
safety and comfort and be neat and businesslike in appearance. Dress
should be suitable to the work setting (for example, casual wear,
such as flip-flops and halter tops-bare midriffs, are not
acceptable). Supervisors and managers also have the responsibility
to counsel employees whose hygiene, grooming, or dress is
inappropriate or results in disruption in the workplace.

Supplies and Services

Supplies Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:17 AM

Although the availability of supplies is improving greatly,
selections are still limited, and imported items are expensive.
However, most things can be found after a persistent search, or you
can visit the New Maadi Carrefour shopping center on the outskirts
of the city, which is one-stop shopping for a wide variety of food,
household goods, electronics, and clothing. Variety stores stock
toys, Pyrex ware, plastics, and small appliances. A few specialty
stores sell sporting goods and beauty products; hardware items may
be found in the “souks.” CLO publishes a comprehensive area-by-area
shopping guide and offers periodic shopping trips for a nominal fee.

The AECWA convenience store provides a limited stock of
utilitarian items such as kitchen implements, small appliances,
baking pans, flashlights, and batteries. Twice a year trips are made
to Germany where large purchases are made to restock both the
convenience store and the E-Mart. Such items as videos, CDs, German
beer, and locally made items, which can be used as gifts, are sold
in the Convenience Store.

Powdered American baby formula is available on the local market,
and Gerber baby food is sold in most local grocery stores as well as
the commissary. It is helpful to bring stationery, favorite
cosmetics, prescription drugs, extra hangers, Christmas decorations
and artificial trees, sewing supplies, musical instruments, and
sporting goods.

With home entertaining prevalent, bring the things you want to
make your new place a home, such as hobby materials, music and
books, recreational items, kitchen appliances, dinner service for
eight, and serving pieces.

Voltage regulators and surge protectors are recommended for
electronic equipment and battery backups for computers. Power surges
and outages routinely occur in all parts of the city and country.

The E-mart sells film and handles photo processing services.
Local photo shops, providing 1-hour and overnight services, can be
found at hotels and shops downtown and in Maadi. Photo processing
and buying film via mail-order firms is slower but cheaper. Video
camera supplies are available, but at much higher prices than from
U.S. suppliers.

Supplies and Services

Basic Services Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:41 AM

Drycleaners, tailors, barbers, hairdressers, and shoe repair
services are easily found locally, while the E-mart offers both
laundry and dry-cleaning, with pickup and delivery on the Embassy
compound. Clothing repairs and reweaving are Cairene specialties, as
are picture framing, leatherwork, photography, book binding,
oriental carpet repair, furniture making, textiles, and electrical
repairs. Local rental services can provide colorful tents for
parties; AECWA, local hotels and several restaurants offer catering
services for parties at home.

Supplies and Services

Domestic Help Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:42 AM

Most people find employing a part-time maid makes life more
pleasant, especially for dealing with the perpetual dust and
shopping chores. The average monthly salary is about $175 for 2–3
hours three times a week. Some families have found it convenient and
useful to hire full-time, English-speaking drivers. Full-time
salaries range from $200–$350 per month depending on their
experience and English language ability. A few maids or nannies will
live in and many cook. Servants should have references, medical and
security clearances, and an identity card.

The Niler carries ads for people wanting to work in the
community, including cooks, “suffragis” (cleaners, houseboys),
nannies, drivers, gardeners, and “makwaggis” (ironers). The
representational residences are provided with gardeners.

A “boab”(doorman/janitor/watchman) is found at the entry to some
apartment buildings. He receives a monthly tip for performing
various small services and in many apartment buildings, each
occupant contributes to his salary. Garbage collection is handled by
a “zabbal,” for a nominal fee. The Embassy does not pay for the
“boabs” and “zabbals.” In the government-owned apartments/houses,
all staff is salaried, and occupants do not need to contribute to
their incomes.

Religious Activities Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:43 AM

Five times a day, from thousands of minarets, muezzins call
Moslems to prayer at the mosques, to reaffirm their faith in Islam.
Non-Moslems must not enter a mosque during prayer time and should
respect the sensitivity to their dress and behavior at all other
times. Unless you are specifically invited to enter a neighborhood
mosque, do not enter. Only the designated tourist sites are
accessible to non-Moslems.

Cairo also offers a range of places of worship. The CLO office is
a source for church references as well as the monthly magazines,
Egypt Today and The Maadi Messager, which list churches holding
services in English.

Education

Dependent Education Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:19 AM

Listings of recommended nursery schools in town and in Maadi are
available at the Community Liaison Office (797–2341 or 797–2342) and
at the Community Services Association (CSA) at 4 Road 21 in Maadi
(Telephones: 358–5284 and 358–0754). There are several school
choices for education on the elementary level and higher. The
majority of Mission children attend Cairo American College, the only
Department of State assisted overseas school in Cairo, but some
select other schools. Further information about these schools can be
obtained from the CLO, or by contacting the schools directly.

Cairo American College (CAC), founded in 1945, is a private,
coeducational dayschool serving students from 60 countries in
kindergarten through grade 12 in a general, college prep curriculum.
About 67% of the faculty and 52% of the students during the
2003-2004 scholastic year were U.S. citizens. The enrollment for
2003–2004 was 1,274 students. Classes average 12–22 students.

The address for official correspondence is: Cairo American
College, Unit 64900 Box 21, APO AE 09839–4900. The current Director
of Admissions is Amina O'Kane. The admissions office telephone is
(202) 519–6665. The FAX is (202) 519–6584. The e-mail address is:
registra@cacegypt.org. They also have a Web site at http://www.cacegypt.org.

On a campus of 11 acres in the Maadi Digla suburb, kindergarten
through grade 2 classes are housed in low buildings; 3rd and 4th
grades are in a separate three-story building and 5th grade is in
the Administration building.

Grades 6 through 8 are together in a separate structure. Grades 9
through 12 are in the secondary school complex, which includes six
science labs, the media center, and rooms for computer and business
education.

The technical and the fine arts departments occupy separate
buildings. There is a 600-seat theater, a gymnasium, swimming pool,
400-meter track, soccer field, weight-training area and tennis,
volleyball, and basketball courts.

The school year runs from August to early June and includes 178
school days in two semesters and 4 quarters. Classes are held Sunday
through Thursday.

To be eligible for a CAC high school diploma, students must
complete 25 credits, spending a minimum of four years in high school
and their entire senior year at CAC. All the graduation requirements
must be satisfied before their 20th birthday.

CAC offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Students
may participate by undertaking the full IB Diploma, taking a package
of IB certificates or enrolling in IB courses without the external
examinations.

Secondary school students enroll in seven classes daily. The
curriculum includes English, social studies, science, math, physical
education, foreign language (Arabic, French, and Spanish) and
English as a second language for grades 9 and 10. Electives include
Spanish, French, or Arabic, vocal and instrumental music, drama,
art, computers, and business and technology courses.

Middle school (grades 6, 7 & 8) students enroll in eight classes
organized in a 2-day rotating schedule. These include five required
subjects—English, social studies, science, math and physical
education and three elective courses, including foreign language,
fine and performing arts, and technology education. English as a
second language is also offered.

Elementary school includes kindergarten through grade 5. The
program includes reading and language arts, science, math, social
studies, physical education, music art and Arab culture. Foreign
languages are available to students in grades 3 to 5 and English as
a second language to grades 1- 5.

The school buzzes with student activities including language
clubs, concerts, plays, art exhibits, a model UN, and athletic
events. At the high school level, students involved in these various
activities make trips to Europe and the Middle East for
competitions.

Bus service is available to CAC from most areas of Cairo.

CAC requests you have the last school the child attended send
transcripts and school records directly to the Office of the
Registrar. For seniors, three years of records are required; for
other grades, too. You may want to bring an extra copy of these
transcripts, if you will arrive near the beginning of the school
year.

Three CAC medical forms must also be completed before admission,
including a full report of a physical examination made no more than
four months earlier. The overseas medical clearance will suffice for
the CAC physical exam form.

CAC reserves the right to refuse admittance to any child not
meeting its academic standards. Kindergarten students must be five
years old before September 30. CLO will send packets containing
registration and health forms and a booklet describing the school,
if school-aged children are mentioned in the assignment notice
received by CLO, providing there is sufficient time.

Most textbooks are from U.S. publishers and are furnished by the
school. High school and middle school students must supply
notebooks, paper and pencils, available at the school store.
Elementary students are provided with school supplies; however,
purchase of PE uniforms is required. Lunch is not provided on a
regular basis for elementary students. A rotating schedule of pizza
days, Egyptian foods, and various other types of foods is provided
throughout the school year. A small cafeteria sells snacks and light
lunches to high school and middle school students.

In addition to CAC, there is the U.S.- accredited American
International School in Nasr City and other schools organized by
French, German, and British educators. The Maadi British
International School (for American grades pre-K to 5th) located in
Maadi can be reached at mbis@intouch.com, the British International
School of Cairo (pre-K to 12th) located downtown in Zamalek can be
reached at biscairo@hotmail.com, the New Cairo British International
School (pre-K to 12th) located in the developing suburb of Katameya
can be reached at rencbis@intouch.com, and the American
International School in Nasr City can be reached at AIS@powermail.intouch.com.

Since space availability fluctuates constantly, parents should
seek detailed information after assignment and make their selection
after arrival. There are often lengthy waiting lists for entrance to
the non-American schools, particularly the British School in Zamalek.

Education

Special Needs Education Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:49 AM

Families with children having learning disabilities should
carefully weigh the acceptance of an assignment in Cairo. CAC has
only very limited facilities for children with special needs and not
all U.S. dependent children are admitted. Parents of children with
learning disabilities or other special needs should have school
records forwarded as soon as possible to CAC, so that a
determination can be made as to whether CAC’s program can meet their
needs and to allow adequate time for parents to make alternative
arrangements if necessary.

Several employees send their learning-disabled children to
boarding schools in the U.S. Costs are usually covered by the
special allowance for children who have been diagnosed as having
serious learning disabilities. Before deciding, parents should write
to the superintendent and also discuss their options with the Office
of Overseas Schools in the Department of State.

Special Education/Home Schooling

The Learning Resource Center (LRC) is an independent diagnostic
and therapeutic unit which provides services based on an
interdisciplinary approach in the assessment and on going management
of children, adolescents or adults, with developmental and/or
learning problems. A treatment plan is only as good as the diagnosis
on which it is based; it is therefore crucial to obtain the best
evaluation possible. Some children may present with multiple or
complex symptoms, and would thus require assessment from a number of
developmental specialists to provide comprehensive evaluations and
unified treatment plans. Services are highly individualized, based
on each child’s needs and the family’s preferences. Services are
provided in a variety of environments depending on where the child
and family can benefit most- at home, in preschool, in school, or at
the Center. Services include educational assessments for screening
and identification of the learning problems; academic
support/tutoring services for children with specific learning
disabilities, including dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, or poor study skills;
after school support programs; and school consultations. LRC also
provides home schooling support and resources in which the home
schooling program can be administered at the Center.

The address is 30 Road 252, Degla, Maadi. The office telephone
number is (202)519-6119/fax: 520-3110. The Director is Beth Noujaim.
The email address is bwnoujaim@hotmail.com or noujaim@LRCEgypt.com.
They also have a website at http://www.LRCEgypt.com.

Education

Higher Education Opportunities Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:20 AM

A language-learning program organized by the Embassy offers
courses from beginning through conversational and written Egyptian
Arabic to employees and their family members. Classes are held on
the compound and in Maadi. Contact the post language officer for
complete information.

Courses are also offered at private institutions and by private
tutors. The Embassy has a special English-language program for
Egyptian employees. It is taught primarily by family members.
English classes are also available for foreign- born spouses.

College Level Courses. The American University in Cairo (AUC) has
undergraduate and graduate courses to audit or take for credit.
Courses in Islamic Art and Egyptology are popular, as is the
master's degree in teaching English as a foreign language. Some
4,000 undergraduates pursue degrees in Arabic studies, English and
comparative literature, political science/sociology, and other
fields. Master's degrees include economics, management, and
sociology/anthropology. The AUC Center for Adult and Continuing
Education has part-time courses for working professionals in
computer science, engineering, travel and hotel service, and
translation and interpretation. Check out their website at
www.aucegypt.edu. The CLO has up-to-date information and catalogs on
distance-learning programs. In addition to Arabic language courses,
the British Council has an excellent series of computer courses in
key Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Access, and Publisher.

Community Courses. In Maadi, the Community Services Association
(CSA) offers a variety of daytime and evening classes and special
programs on such subjects as Egyptology, personal development,
various hobbies, and other interests. Instruction in art, music and
dance is available. Pianos may be rented or purchased, but it takes
patience to find a good one.

Educational Clubs. Membership in the American Research Center in
Egypt (ARCE) is tax-deductible and permits you to join their
Archeology Club, which sponsors at least one lecture and tour a
month. The Egyptian Exploration Society, sponsored by the British
Council, has bimonthly lectures on ancient Egypt.

Cultural Centers. The Egyptian Center for International Cultural
Cooperation in Zamalek was established to introduce visiting
diplomats to Egyptian culture through programs, exhibits and tours.
Arabic language classes are also offered at the center.

CLO offers special trips almost every weekend. These include
newcomer orientation walking tours in selected neighborhoods,
historical sites in Coptic and Islamic Cairo, visits to local
artists' studios and exhibits, shopping orientations to several
areas and specialties, as well as trips of interest outside of
Cairo.

Recreation and Social Life

Sports Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:22 AM

Sports activities include golf, tennis, softball, volleyball,
soccer, swimming, horseback and camel riding, squash, jogging,
fishing, diving, and hunting. For downtown residents, in addition to
the Embassy’s pool and exercise facility, there are private clubs.
Membership is usually open to foreign residents, and waivers and
discounts on their annual fees are offered; they are still
relatively expensive.

The Gezira Club downtown on the island of Zamalek has two
swimming pools, basketball, tennis and squash courts, a golf course,
croquet lawn, a race course, and a running track. This club is
within walking distance of the American compound in Zamalek. Parking
is a problem and traffic is often congested. An additional riding
club is near the Gezira Club, while the Shooting Club in Dokki
attracts skeet-shooters.

Several commercial riding stables are located near the Giza
pyramids and are used by many Embassy employees. A golf course is
located by the Mena House Hotel.

The yacht clubs may arrange for boating adventures, but are
primarily restaurants. Feluccas can be hired, and there are floating
restaurants at many places along the Nile River. A picnic or sunset
cruise for six or eight people in a felucca is a typical summer
activity, with the north wind providing motion and relative
coolness.

Soccer is the national sport, with well-attended matches being
played every weekend around the city. Softball teams for both women
and men meet for practice and games in a well-organized league.

The Cairo Divers meet once a month and organize trips to the Red
Sea, one of the world’s finest diving locations. Instruction in
diving is offered through several sources, including the Maadi
House.

Other energetic local groups are the Cairo Rugby Club, Cairo
Cycling Club, Hash House Harriers (a noncompetitive group holding
pre-sundown fun runs on Fridays, which are for walkers, too), and
the Maadi Waadi Runners, who hold long runs Friday mornings.

The Cairo Classic is an annual running and cycling event. A
$10/10km event is held in March. Egypt Today magazine carries
contact numbers in its listings. During the spring, the city of
Luxor hosts a marathon.

AECWA members, including downtown residents, may use the Maadi
House, a recreational facility. A tennis pro schedules lessons,
clinics, and tournaments. A heated swimming pool is open year-round
and there is a children’s pool, playground, snackbar, and video
rentals.

CAC has a 25-meter long pool and an active, varied swimming
program for all ages, which runs all year. This pool is open to the
immediate family of students, at selected hours, for a small fee.

Embassy personnel not having family members enrolled at CAC may
use some facilities, as a nonaffiliated member. This is arranged on
a quota system, based on the number of Embassy children enrolled at
the school. Contact the school and the Embassy’s Human Resources
office for details.

CAC has two large playing fields and a children's playground. A
circular ¼- mile track is a popular site for jogging after hours and
on weekends. Children’s activities held on weekends include soccer,
basketball, and Little League baseball for ages 6–13.

The Maadi Club, a private organization, has two pools, croquet,
tennis courts, stables, and big crowds on weekends.

Recreation and Social Life

Touring and Outdoor Activities Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:22 AM

In Egypt, one lives in the shadow of the pharaohs, sultans,
caliphs, and emirs. The legacy they left can be seen today in great
monuments and buildings. An assignment to Egypt gives a unique
opportunity to visit some of the outstanding sites of world history.
You can go alone, with a guidebook, a map and a few words of Arabic,
or join a group. Without leaving metropolitan Cairo, you can visit
the walls of the Citadel Saladin built to withstand the assault of
the Crusaders, see medieval houses with harem windows, private
gardens, mausoleums, mosques, and palaces. You can wander down
streets full of tent and saddle makers or other traditional
craftsmen still at work. CLO organizes many tours of the city as
well and shopping trips to areas of the bazaar.

In solitude, you see the Petrified Forest just outside Maadi or,
amidst crowds, spend time at the Zoo or the pyramids and the Sphinx
at nearby Giza.

Many archeological sites are within a day's drive: Saqqara,
Memphis, Maydoum and Hawara. Two nearby villages, Harania and
Kerdassa, are known for their fabrics, rugs, and weaving.

With a few restrictions because of security considerations, most
areas are accessible by car. Within an easy drive of Cairo are
Alexandria and other cities in the Delta, the Mediterranean beaches,
the Suez Canal cities, Port Said and Ismailia and the Red Sea
resorts of Hurghada, Sharm el Sheik, Fayoum, the “land of roses,”
and much of the Sinai.

There are nine oases in the Western Desert. Siwa, isolated in the
northwest, is famous for its Berber culture, bird migrations, dates,
olives, Cleopatra's bath, and Alexander's pilgrimage in 331 B.C.,
when he sought certification of his hereditary relationships with
Zeus and Amun, the Egyptian ram-headed god.

The resorts on the Mediterranean, Sinai, and Red Sea are served
by combined flights and bus tours. Luxury boat trips in Upper Egypt
between Aswan and Luxor include such famed archeological sites as
Karnak, Kom Ombo, Esna, Edfu, and Abydos. Abu Simbel is accessible
by air and also by cruising Lake Nasser.

Local travel agents can plan and confirm a wide variety of trips.
As prices vary with the seasons and the number of tourists, it is
best to plan in advance and keep in touch for last minute changes.
All flights must be reconfirmed before the return departure.

Recreation and Social Life

Entertainment Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:23 AM

Ballets, concerts, plays and dance troupes schedule performances
all year. Theatrical productions are held at the Howard Theater, the
New Theater, and the Children’s Theater at AUC. The Cairo Opera
House has a year-round program including touring ballet companies,
musical programs, plays, and exhibitions at reasonable prices. The
Maadi Community Players, the Cairo Players, and the Greek Theater
Group at AUC all produce plays.

The Government of Egypt’s Center for International Cultural
Cooperation and the French, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, and
U.S. Cultural Centers all present readings, lectures, concerts,
plays, films and exhibits.

Feature films are shown at the American Cultural Center, Ewart
Hall of AUC, the Maadi Club, and at Maadi House. Egypt Today has
information on city theaters which show a wide selection of
international films.

A film festival brings a selection of foreign films to local
screens each fall. Shown with Arabic subtitles, English-language
films dominate the offerings.

Clubs throughout the city and at major hotels feature Nubian and
Egyptian performers. The shows usually start around 11 p.m. Most
five-star hotels have casinos. For religious reasons, only
foreigners are permitted to enter casinos

Cairo has numerous restaurants, ranging from small, inexpensive,
noisy neighborhood places serving local specialties, to fast food
franchises doing chicken and hamburgers, frozen yogurt, pizza, and
doughnuts to world class restaurants with European, Asian, American
and Middle Eastern menus. The big hotels have restaurants with a
variety of price levels, and riverboats offer food with
entertainment

Recreation and Social Life

Social Activities

Among Americans Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:57 AM The Maadi House
Recreation Center has activities for all ages in a homelike
atmosphere. For tots, playgroups under the supervision of volunteers
are available. The garden is a pleasant social center with tennis
courts and lawns for quiet repose by the pool. The manager organizes
wine tastings, special dinners, flea markets, videos, exhibits, and
other events. The CLO publishes in The Niler a listing of all events
scheduled at the Maadi House.

The Women’s Association and the Maadi Women’s Guild have
educational, philanthropic, and social programs. The Petroleum Wives
Group is open to the community and involved in activities. Cub
Scout, Brownie, Girl and Boy Scouts are active. There are several
well organized Bridge Clubs.

Special interest groups include bridge, yoga, the Choral Society
and the CAC Parent Teacher Organization. There is an extensive
6-week Summer Enrichment Program for CAC for school-aged children.
Visit the CAC web site at www.cacegypt.org, click on “About Us”,
then “Summer School” for registration information.

Recreation and Social Life

Social Activities

International Contacts Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:58 AM Some
groups that meet are the Cairo Young Diplomats (for 1st Secretary
rank and below); the American Chamber of Commerce, which has a
monthly luncheon for business; the All Nations Women’s Group; the
Petroleum Wives Club, and the Baladi Association for the
Preservation of Nature. The sports-minded can meet members of the
international community at clubs and tournaments. International
contacts can also be made at the Cairo Chorale Society, an
English-speaking group comprising a wide range of enthusiastic
amateur singers.

Official Functions

Nature of Functions Last Updated: 4/22/2004 8:59 AM

Official representational responsibilities are especially
significant for the Ambassador, the DCM, the Minister-Counselor for
Economic and Political Affairs, the USAID Director, Chief of the
Office of Military Cooperation, the Defense Attaché, the Public
Affairs Officer, and other senior Mission officers.

Other officers and their spouses may be included on the guest
lists of their counterparts in the Egyptian Government and from
other embassies. Diplomatic functions include luncheons, teas and
coffees, receptions, cocktail parties, and dinners.

Official Functions

Standards of Social Conduct Last Updated: 4/22/2004 9:00 AM

The Ambassador and the DCM and their spouses look forward to
welcoming new arrivals as soon as possible. The Embassy protocol
officer will assist with any questions regarding social conduct and
dress.

Staff members are requested to call briefly on the Ambassador and
the DCM as soon as possible after their arrival. Arrangements for
these calls will be made by the appropriate section chief. The
Ambassador, the DCM, and the section chief may suggest other calls.

Although leaving calling cards is not necessary in Egypt, calling
cards are useful in other ways. They should state your name, title,
“Embassy of the United States of America,” and can also include
office address, telephone number, and email address. If printed
locally, the reverse side of the card can be in Arabic. Married
Mission members will find “Mr. and Mrs.” cards useful. Locally
printed invitations and “informals” are also widely used. Because of
the possible difficulty in finding places, maps indicating the
location are often copied and included with invitations.

Special Information Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:25 AM

Personnel assigned to the U.S. Defense Attaché’s Office (USDAO),
Office of Military Cooperation (OMC), U.S. Naval Medical Research
Unit 3 (NAMRU–3) and the Marine Security Guard Detachment (USMG)
should contact the appropriate section to establish weight
allowances before shipping household effects.

USDAO. USDAO was officially reestablished on March 18, 1974.
Business suits are the proper everyday attire for the office.
Uniforms are only worn for special occasions. Both summer and winter
uniforms are required for Cairo. Attaché’s should have appropriate
summer and winter mess dress, semi-formal and service uniforms. The
summer season begins in April and ends in October. Military
personnel assigned to USDAO should contact the station prior to
purchasing uniforms. Enlisted personnel are authorized to wear
slacks and a sport shirt without tie during the summer.

NAMRU-3. Personnel assigned to Cairo wear civilian clothing on
duty. Prior to assignment, personnel will be advised of uniform
requirements.

OMC. OMC was officially established on October 1, 1978, to
coordinate with the Egyptian Ministry of Defense on the operations
of and training related to U.S. military equipment. Its offices are
located in the Embassy compound in and around Cairo. Military
personnel will wear civilian clothes (coats and ties, dresses,
pantsuits) to work daily in Cairo, but it will be less formal in the
field. Clothes for entertainment can be anything from civilian
informal (coat and tie) to casual. Men will need at least one
business suit and several sport coat ensembles. All military
personnel are authorized civilian clothing allowances.

Military members should bring the uniforms required by your
service’s regulations. There are occasions for Officer’s Mess Dress
and service uniforms as well as field uniforms. Chief, OMC
determines uniform requirements on a case by case basis. Bring your
Class A uniform and service hat as applicable to each service; they
will be needed. All uniforms should be current, reflecting the most
recent medals, ribbons, etc.

Housing for OMC is usually short-term leased apartments. OMC
provides furniture and appliances.

USMG. Marine Security Guards receive a civilian clothing
allowance from the Department of State through the Marine Security
Guard School, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA. Uniforms worn at
Cairo Mission are Dress Blue “C” and “D,” depending on the season.
Uniforms are worn only on duty. Civilian clothes are worn to and
from duty and at all other off-duty times.

Before departing, Marines should read the Detachment’s Post
Report, on file at the Marine Security Guard School.

Post Orientation Program

When the post is notified of an assignment, the prospective
newcomer is sent a welcome cable and a prearrival packet containing
Welcome to Cairo; the Housing Handbook; travel and shipping
information; cross-cultural cues; and, when appropriate, brochures
from schools. After arrival, CLO provides further information about
Embassy operations, safety, health, and living in Egypt. An assigned
sponsor meets the newcomer on arrival and assists in settling in at
post. CLO prefers to conduct a personal orientation session with
each newcomer within a week of arrival. CLO also arranges
neighborhood orientation tours quarterly for newcomers to become
familiar with their new home.

Once a year CLO conducts a Newcomers' Orientation in a trade show
format, which presents background information on the Embassy and
advice on living in Egypt as a member of the American Mission.
Participants include the Ambassador, the DCM, heads of Embassy
offices, security officers and representatives of other agencies at
post, as well as outside organizations having close ties to the
official community.

Community Services Association (CSA) in Maadi has a 2-day
intensive orientation program that concentrates on the
cross-cultural aspects of living in Egypt. USAID, OMC and NAMRU will
pay both employee and family members' costs for attending this
highly recommended program.

Related Internet Sites Last Updated: 6/14/2004 6:04 AM

EGYPT ON THE INTERNET

Official - U.S.

www.usembassy.egnet.net Homepage of the U.S. Embassy in Egypt

Official - Egyptian

www.sis.gov.eg/ Homepage of the Government of Egypt's State
Information Service

Living in Egypt

www.amcham.org.eg/ Homepage of the American Chamber of Commerce
in Egypt. Varied information on Egypt's business environment.

www.arab.net/egypt "Egypt 101" site, including list of further
links.

www.aucegypt.edu Homepage of American University in Cairo

www.cacegypt.org Homepage of Cairo American College.

www.omeldonia.com Bilingual news and entertainment guide.

www.otlob.com Cairo's online delivery service - food, flowers,
and more. Delivery service available in all mission-housing
neighborhoods.

www.yallabina.com Youth-oriented entertainment guide.

Egyptian Culture and History

www.arce.org Homepage of the American Research Center in Egypt,
the leading professional society for Egyptian studies.

www.eternalegypt.org Comprehensive site on Ancient Egypt; a joint
venture between Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and IBM.

www.touregypt.net Travel-oriented resources on Egyptian culture
and history.

Media

www.egypttoday.com Informative English-language monthly magazine.

www.cairotimes.com Weekly English-language newsmagazine.

www.metimes.com Regional English-language newsweekly with a focus
on Egypt.

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/ Online edition of Al-Ahram Weekly,
the English-language publication of Egypt's leading newspaper, the
government-owned Al-Ahram.

Sites listed are current at time of publication.
Private/commercial websites are listed for information purposes
only; listing does not indicate Embassy endorsement

Notes For Travelers

Getting to the Post Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:25 AM

As soon as possible, notify the Embassy or the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) of your estimated date
of arrival and the number of family members who will be residing at
post, including the ages of your children. This information is
essential for making your housing assignment.

Human Resources Management, Shipping and the Housing offices will
send welcome telegrams with information about education, housing and
packing of personal effects. The Community Liaison Office (CLO) also
sends a pre-arrival packet and a welcome letter.

The U.S. Government strictly enforces the Fly America Act;
violations will result in penalties. Currently there are three
code-share airlines that serve Cairo: Northwest/KLM,
United/Lufthansa and Delta/Air France. Please contact the Embassy
for the latest details.

When travel plans are firm, cable your arrival date and flight
information so you can be met and assisted at Cairo’s International
Airport. USAID employees should e-mail their itinerary to the
Financial Management Office.

As regulations regarding travel to and from Cairo change
frequently, depending on many factors, the Embassy’s Travel,
Shipping and Customs Section (TSC), part of the General Services
Office (GSO) should be contacted with any questions concerning your
travel arrangements. The TSC office can be contacted by fax from the
U.S. at 011–20–2–797–3519.

Each traveler must have a valid diplomatic or official passport.
It is recommended, although not mandatory, that people with
diplomatic passports obtain a visa (at no cost) before coming to
Egypt. People with official or tourist passports can obtain a visa
upon arrival at the airport for US $15 and an international
immunization certificate. Travelers from yellow fever areas must
have had yellow fever shots at least eight days prior to arrival.
This rule is rarely enforced but should be followed.

Various forms will be issued to you soon after your arrival in
Egypt and each requires several passport-size photographs. Bring at
least 20 photos for you and each of your accompanying family
members. Additional photographs can also be obtained locally.

Customs, Duties, and Passage Last Updated: 5/25/2004 1:14 AM

On arrival, all U.S. Government personnel are granted duty-free
entry privileges for their personal and household effects. Full
privileges, valid during the entire tour, are extended to those on
the diplomatic list and to USAID and Office of Military Cooperation
(OMC) personnel. Those not on the diplomatic list are granted
duty-free entry of their household and personal effects up to six
months after their arrival.

The Embassy cannot initiate clearance for personal effects or
privately owned vehicles until after your arrival at post and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued your diplomatic ID
card. Personnel considering the importation of a boat or motorcycle
should request appropriate information and permission from the TSC
Office.

Unaccompanied Air Baggage (UAB) and Household Effects (HHE). Ship
only those items immediately necessary to set up residence in your
UAB. Post provides hospitality kits upon arrival that contain
commonly needed item’s. Please forward copies of your inventories,
airway bill and bill of lading to the post’s shipping section, at
fax 202–797–3519, at the earliest opportunity and bring additional
copies with you. These documents are essential to begin the customs
clearance process. Clearances of UAB, HHE, and POV cannot begin
until after you arrive. As shipping addresses and information change
constantly, consult your copy of the post shipping cable or contact
the shipping section for current information.

Personally Owned Vehicles (POV). The Government of Egypt requires
that all vehicles, new or used, imported into Egypt must have a
catalytic converter.

GOE Importation and Sale Regulations Applicable to USAID
Employees’ POV’s. Under the terms of the 1978 USAID bilateral
agreement, a USAID employee (single or married) may import one new
or used POV every three years for personal use. Rules for the sale
of POV’s change regularly. Contact TSC for current regulations.

Rules applicable to USAID employees under the bilateral agreement
differ from those of other diplomatic personnel assigned to Cairo
under the Vienna Convention. An employee planning to import a POV
under the USAID bilateral needs to contact TSC as early as possible
at fax (20) (2) 797–3519.

GOE Importation and Sale Regulations Applicable to Non-USAID
Mission Employees’ POV’s. Under the Vienna Convention, the
Government of Egypt allows diplomatic agents and administrative and
technical staff assigned to Egypt to import POVs duty free.

Administrative and technical staff under nondiplomatic status may
import only one POV duty free. It must be exported or sold to
another diplomat with duty-free privileges at the end of tour.
Currently, no vehicles imported into Egypt under the Vienna
Convention can be sold duty free to a nonprivileged person, i.e., a
person without duty-free status.

Diplomatic agents are allowed to import one vehicle duty free for
their own use and, if married, a second vehicle for their spouse.
The second vehicle must be exported or sold to a diplomat other
person with duty-free privileges at the end of tour.

Purchase of Duty-Free Vehicles. Effective June 15, 1999,
duty-free vehicles can no longer be purchased locally. The only
option for non-USAID Mission employees is to order a new car from a
European or American manufacturer and have the car shipped directly
to post. This can be done before or after your arrival at post. This
rule does not apply to USAID employees.

Additional Information on Shipping a POV. Car radios, tape decks,
lighters, detachable mirrors, emblems and spare or removable parts
should be removed from your vehicle prior to shipping. These items
should be included in your HHE or mailed through the APO. The
Embassy strongly recommends that you obtain private shipping and
marine insurance.

Motorcycles and Motorboats. According to Government of Egypt
regulations, motorcycles and motorboats may be imported into Egypt.
If the item is to be shipped as part of your HHE, it must be
inspected by customs officials at the port of entry, the VIN number
verified, and the item recorded for official entry into Egypt. You
must ensure that it is crated separately and clearly marked as to
the contents and with the owner’s name. Also, insure that it is
clearly identified on your packout inventory. By so doing, only this
crate will be opened at the port of entry to verify VIN numbers.
Unless the above procedures are followed, motorcycles or motorboats
will not be able to be registered for use in Egypt.

Electronic Equipment. Cairo Airport Customs officials will
impound electronic equipment, such as computers and computer parts,
televisions, VCR’s, and video cameras that are being hand-carried
and are easily visible. However, such items can be imported in your
HHE, mailed through the APO or packed in your suitcase. Any type of
radio transmitter such as CBs, two-way and HAM radios cannot be
imported into Egypt.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Food. No alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or
food products may be imported in the HHE or UAB. These items are
available in the Embassy commissary.

Antique Oriental Carpets. Exporting antique oriental carpets from
Egypt is forbidden. All antique oriental carpets must be listed on
your incoming inventory in order to obtain export clearance when you
depart post.

Customs, Duties, and Passage

Customs and Duties Last Updated: 4/26/2004 8:27 AM

On arrival, all U.S. Government personnel are granted duty-free
entry privileges for their personal and household effects. Full
privileges, valid during the entire tour, are extended to those on
the diplomatic list and to USAID and Office of Military Cooperation
(OMC) personnel.

The Embassy cannot initiate clearance for personal effects or
privately owned vehicles until after your arrival at post and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued your diplomatic ID
card. Personnel considering the importation of a boat or motorcycle
should request appropriate information and permission from the TSC
Office.

Unaccompanied Air Baggage (UAB) and Household Effects (HHE). Ship
only those items immediately necessary to set up residence in your
UAB. Post provides hospitality kits upon arrival that contain
commonly needed item’s. Please forward copies of your inventories,
airway bill and bill of lading to the post's shipping section, at
fax 20-2–797–3519, at the earliest opportunity and bring additional
copies with you. These documents are essential to begin the customs
clearance process. Clearances of UAB, HHE, and POV cannot begin
until after you arrive. As shipping addresses and information change
constantly, consult your copy of the post shipping cable or contact
the shipping section for current information.

Personally Owned Vehicles (POV). The Government of Egypt requires
that all vehicles, new or used, imported into Egypt have a catalytic
converter. GOE Importation and Sale Regulations Applicable to USAID
Employees’ POV’s. Under the terms of the 1978 USAID bilateral
agreement, a USAID employee (single or married) may import one new
or used POV every three years for personal use. Rules for the sale
of POV’s change occasionally. Contact GSO/TSC for current
regulations.

Rules applicable to USAID employees under the bilateral agreement
differ from those of other diplomatic personnel assigned to Cairo
under the Vienna Convention. An employee planning to import a POV
under the USAID bilateral needs to contact TSC as early as possible
at fax (20) (2) 797–3519. GOE Importation and Sale Regulations
Applicable to Non-USAID Mission Employees’ POV’s. Under the Vienna
Convention, the Government of Egypt allows diplomatic agents and
administrative and technical staff assigned to Egypt to import POVs
duty free. A vehicle imported to Egypt is considered Permanent
Release if it is the current year model and may be sold to other
diplomats with duty-free privileges or on the local economy. If a
vehicle is older than the current year when imported into Egypt it
is considered Temporary Release and it may only be sold to another
diplomat with duty-free privileges or exported at the end of tour.
Used vehicles are often difficult to sell in Egypt so anyone
importing a vehicle must be prepared to export it at the end of
their tour.

Administrative and technical staff under non-diplomatic status
may import only one POV duty free. It must be exported or sold to
another diplomat with duty-free privileges at the end of tour.
Diplomatic agents are allowed to import one vehicle duty free for
their own use and, if married, a second vehicle for their spouse.
The second vehicle must be exported or sold to a diplomat or another
person with duty-free privileges at the end of tour.

Purchase of Duty-Free Vehicles.

Duty-free vehicles can be purchased locally from several dealers
through Alexandria and Suez Free Zone. Additional Information on
Shipping a POV. Car radios, tape decks, lighters, detachable
mirrors, emblems and spare or removable parts should be removed from
your vehicle prior to shipping. These items should be included in
your HHE or mailed through the APO. The Embassy strongly recommends
that you obtain private shipping and marine insurance. The vehicles
arrive in Egypt at the Port of Alexandria and are driven to Cairo by
contractor service. Employees may choose to travel to Alexandria in
order to drive their own vehicles to Cairo.

Motorcycles and Motorboats. According to Government of Egypt
regulations, motorcycles and motorboats may be imported into Egypt.
If the item is to be shipped as part of your HHE, it must be
inspected by customs officials at the port of entry, the VIN number
verified, and the item recorded for official entry into Egypt. You
must ensure that it is crated separately and clearly marked as to
the contents and with the owner’s name and loaded near the
container’s door. Also, insure that it is clearly identified on your
packout inventory. By so doing, only this crate will be opened at
the port of entry to verify VIN numbers. Unless the above procedures
are followed, motorcycles or motorboats will not be able to be
registered for use in Egypt.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Food. No alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or
food products may be imported in the HHE or UAB. These items are
available in the Embassy commissary.

Antique Oriental Carpets. Exporting antique oriental carpets from
Egypt is forbidden. All antique oriental carpets must be listed on
your incoming inventory in order to obtain export clearance when you
depart post.

Customs, Duties, and Passage

Pets Last Updated: 4/22/2004 9:08 AM

Egypt has no quarantine restrictions for pets. Dogs and cats
entering the country must have proof of a valid rabies shot and a
current health certificate. The rabies vaccination must be more than
30 days, but not more than 1 year old. A licensed veterinarian must
authorize the certificate of good health issued not more than 10 to
14 days prior to date of departure. These documents should accompany
the pet, which ideally accompanies you. If you ship your pet as
unaccompanied air baggage, attach a copy of these documents in a
sturdy plastic envelope to the pet’s kennel with the notation
“health documents enclosed” and be sure to notify the TSC Section
immediately. Keep the originals with you. This will facilitate
clearing your pets at the airport. For more information on flying
with your pet, check with the individual airline carrier.

Other pets such as birds, ferrets, hamsters, and reptiles are not
as easy to import as compared to dogs and cats. There are more rules
and paperwork required for these pets. There may also be additional
fees depending on the type of pet you bring.

While in Egypt, adequate veterinary care is available but kennel
facilities are limited. Bring a supply of soap, powder and/or
collars. Although such products are available, supplies vary.
Dog/cat food is readily available at the commissary, as is cat
litter. Most personnel live in apartments during their Cairo tour
and this, along with hot weather, may complicate caring for pets. Do
not bring any pet requiring medication or specialized care.

Because many apartments are in high-rise buildings and there is
little outside yard space, your pet will probably remain indoors at
all times. Some people find smaller pets more adaptable overall than
larger ones.

Firearms and Ammunition Last Updated: 4/22/2004 9:08 AM

Employees assigned to the American Embassy in Cairo are not
permitted to import handguns. The Chief of Mission may authorize an
exception to this policy if the employee is on direct transfer from
an overseas post and unable to store or otherwise dispose of a
handgun already in his/her possession, or if the employee is
authorized by their agency to carry a weapon as part of their
official duty. Handguns not authorized by an employee’s agency must
be surrendered to the RSO for storage for the duration of the
employee’s assignment. The Chief of Mission may also authorize the
importation of shotguns for recreational use. Shotguns may be stored
at the employee’s residence. To request Chief of Mission approval,
an employee must send a telegram or memo to the Ambassador through
the DCM including the make, model and serial number, and caliber of
each firearm. Firearms can only be shipped in an employee’s HHE.
Firearms cannot be shipped through the diplomatic pouch, the APO or
carried in an employee’s baggage. There is no authorized means of
shipping ammunition to post.

The currency denomination is the Egyptian pound (marked L.E.),
which comprises 100 piasters (marked PT). The dollar fluctuated
around LE 6.14 in early 2004.

Egyptian pounds and U.S. dollars may be purchased from the
Embassy’s bank with foreign currencies or checks. You do not need to
bring a large supply of checks to post as the number of ATMs is
increasing all over the city.

Commissary and AECWA purchases are paid for by credit card or in
U.S. dollars either in cash or by checks drawn on a U.S. account.
Opening a local bank account is neither necessary nor recommended by
the Financial Management Center.

Egypt Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
(GMT) and seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time zone.
Egypt is on daylight savings time (GMT+3) from approximately May 1
until October 1.

Taxes, Exchange, and Sale of Property Last Updated: 4/22/2004
9:13 AM

U.S. Government employees are not subject to either Egyptian
income or property taxes. However, stamp and sales taxes may be
included in the prices of goods, services, tickets, and the issuance
of documents. You must pay these. Family members working outside the
official community are subject to Egyptian income tax.

Restrictions

The Embassy’s Management Counselor has been delegated the
authority to approve and forward all requests for the sale of
personal property and POVs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The
Embassy follows the Department of State rules regarding the sale and
retention of any profits from the sale of personal property.
Approval from the Management Counselor must be obtained before any
personal property is disposed of in Egypt.

.

Recommended Reading Last Updated: 5/25/2004 1:16 AM

These titles are provided as a general indication of the material
published on this country. The Department of State does not endorse
unofficial publications.

Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, Sugar Street. Mahfouz, Naguib. AUC
Press, Cairo, 1990-1992. (Also see: The Harafish, Adrift on the
Nile, Autumn Quail, The Journey of Ibn Fattouma, Midaq Alley, The
Time and the Place, The Search, Respected Sir, The Beggar, Wedding
Song, Miramar, The Beginning the Cairo Trilogy and the End and The
Thief and the Dogs.)

Egyptian Magic. Budge, E. A. Wallis. and K. Paul, Trench,
Trubner: London, 1899. Republished by Wings Books: Avenel, NJ, 1991.
(Also see: From Fetish to God in Ancient Egypt, The Mummy, The
Rosetta Stone, Dwellers on the Nile, An Hieroglyphic Dictionary,
Easy Lessons in Hieroglyphs, The Book of the Dead, Osiris and The
Egyptian Resurrection, and The Gods of the Egyptians.)

An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians,
Edward Lane, 2003

Harem Years: Memoirs of an Egyptian Feminist, Hoda Shaarawi, 1998

All the Pasha’s Men, Khaled Fahmy, 2002

The Question of Palestine and Orientalism, Time Books, Edward
Said, 1979

Zaat, Sonallah Ibrahim, 1992

Out of Place: A Memoir, Edward Said, autobiography, 1999

Local Holidays Last Updated: 4/27/2004 4:42 AM

Both Moslem and Christian Egyptian holidays and American holidays
are celebrated. The dates of the religious holidays change year to
year, because they are calculated on the lunar calendar. Ramadan is
the Moslem month of fasting; it lasts for a lunar month of 29–30
days and occurs 11–12 days earlier each year. The daily fast lasts
from sunrise to sunset, when not even water may be taken. The fast
is broken with the Iftar meal taken at sunset each day.

Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr (the small feast of Ramadan) which
lasts for 3 days. Eid al-Adha (the big feast of Ramadan) occurs 70
days later and lasts for 4 days. This largest Moslem religious
festival of the year commemorates Ibrahim's offering his son as a
sacrifice.

Ramadan and both the Eid feasts are inconvenient times for
official and business visits; government offices and many businesses
and shops are either closed or operating on shortened schedules.
Entertaining Muslims during Ramadan is limited to the Iftar or a
late supper that breaks the fast.

Sham el Nessim (Smell the Breezes Day) is a celebration for all
religions dating back to the ancient Egyptian festival marking the
first day of spring. It always occurs on the Monday following the
Coptic Easter and is celebrated with many traditional foods,
including hardboiled eggs and pickles.

The Islamic New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the Hegira year
and commemorates the flight of the Prophet Mohammed from Mecca to
Medina, to save the prophetic mission. Moulid el Nabi celebrates the
anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. Egyptian Christian
employees are given time off for Easter. Secular Egyptian holidays
are Sinai Liberation Day, Labor Day, National Revolution Day, and
Armed Forces Day.

The complete list of Egyptian holidays that will be observed in
the calendar year 2004 is:

January 1 Thursday New Year's Day American January 7 Wednesday
Coptic Christmas Egyptian January 18 Sunday Martin Luther King's
Birthday American *Jan-Feb 31/1/2 Sat-Mon Eid al-Adha Egyptian
February 15 Sunday Presidents' Day American *February 21 Saturday
Islamic New Year Egyptian April 12 Monday Sham El Nessim Egyptian
April 25 Sunday Sinai Liberation Day Egyptian May 1 Saturday Labor
Day Egyptian *May 2 Sunday Moulid El Nabi Egyptian May 30 Sunday
Memorial Day American July 4 Sunday Independence Day American July
23 Friday National Day Egyptian September 5 Sunday Labor Day
American October 6 Wednesday Armed Forces Day Egyptian October 10
Sunday Columbus Day American November 11 Thursday Veterans' Day
American *November 14/15 Sun/Mon Eid al-Fitr Egyptian November 25
Thursday Thanksgiving Day American Decembe 26 Sunday Christmas Day
American

*Dates for religious holidays are dependent upon the sighting of
the moon and are likely to vary from the above estimated dates.

Note: Egyptian Holidays may be adjusted at a later date, after
consideration of decisions made by the GOE authorities and
prevailing practice.

Adapted from material published by the
U.S. Department of State.
While some of the information is specific to U.S. missions abroad, the
post report provides a good overview of general living conditions in the
host country for diplomats from all nations.